2016 NFL Draftee Carson Wentz is Still Trying
By: Ross Blilie
05-05-23
Almost ten years ago, North Dakota State University quarterback Carson Wentz was drafted into the NFL number two overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. He played well in his rookie season however, they had a record of 7-9.
In 2017, Wentz played fourteen games and was on his way to helping the team to not only a winning record, but winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history. During the NFC Championship game, Wentz suffered a devastating knee injury. Unfortunately, it prevented him from playing in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
The Eagles still went on to win the Super Bowl, but Wentz was on the sideline cheering his teammates on.
Interestingly, Wentz grew up in Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota. He didn't grow into his body until his Sophomore season at Century. According to the Detroit Free Press, Wentz was a 5'8" 125-pound freshman who then grew two inches in his Sophomore season. You can read the story here: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/26/carson-wentz-central-michigan-football/79336462/
By the time that Wentz was a Junior in high school, he shot up to 6'3" and gained another thirty pounds of muscle. He played multiple sports while in high school, but in the time he was growing and getting bigger, he was playing baseball. An arm injury prevented him from playing football that season. When the 2011 football season came back around, Wentz was a massive 6'5" and a solid 200 pounds.
Dave Birkett wrote this about Carson Wentz: As a 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior, Wentz said he "kind of came out of nowhere" on the recruiting scene.
"I always knew I had the physical and mental abilities to play this position, but physically, I finally developed late -- and I’m so thankful," he said. "I wouldn’t trade the road I took for the world."
Another interesting nugget I found out about Wentz was that Central Michigan was one of the few FBS schools to offer Wentz a football scholarship in 2012. However, before an offer was even sent to Wentz, he called CMU and told them he was planning to go to NDSU. "They didn’t technically offer, but when I called to tell them I was confirming and declaring to go to NDSU, they told me they were going to fly out this week to get me an offer. But I just wanted to go play and wanted to go win games and I think I made the right decision," Wentz said.
He did make the right decision to go to NDSU and play for Craig Bohl because he ended up winning five straight FCS Championships. In Wentz's interview he said, "I don’t know of any quarterback that doesn’t want to be the top guy in their class," Wentz said. "And if you don’t think you are or don’t think you have the ability to be that, you’re probably in the wrong sport. Because we’re all competitors, we’re playing football here. We want to be the best at our respective positions, and that’s always the goal."
Wentz went 20-3 as a starter in his college career. He threw for 3,111 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for 642 yards and six scores as a junior. In his Senior season, he passed for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns but missed eight games with a broken wrist. But he came back to play in the FCS Championship.
Wentz has always been a dual threat quarterback in the NFL. However, he is much more cautious now because of his knee injury. Wentz's grit and determination stem from his time growing up in North Dakota. Often the winters are long and cold and the summers are sticky. However, it's Wentz's belief that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league that still makes him a prized player.
Ross Blilie is an avid NFL fan of the Minnesota Vikings since the 1990’s. He loves to talk about the NFL and the Vikings every chance he gets. His hobbies also include bowling with his wife and friends, narrating audiobooks, fishing, and even sitting by a campfire with family at Lake Blackduck in Minnesota. You can find Ross on twitter & Instagram @Rossthenarrator.
